Civilian/Matriarch Cons and Pros?

V

Vess

Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
583
Well, I have been seriously considering getting a Civilian or a Matriarch. I know there were some restrictions about the Matriarch in the past, but I see them on sale without restriciton all over the internet now.
So, if both are available to general public, which makes more sense: Civvy or Matriarch?
I know Matriarch is smaller and has a Zytel handle, while Civvy has G-10 scales and is slightly bigger. But the steel is the same. Any other differences I missed?
So, it seems to me that a Matriarch might be a better choice since it is so much cheaper than the Civvy.
Any thoughts?

P.S. Anyone know a good online seller that has Matriarchs and Civilians at "less than average" price?
 
If money is your main object - go for the Matriarch. www.skylandscutlery.com has them for $80.50, and www.bestknives.com has them for $79.95. Or, www.newgraham.com has them for $74.93.

The thing you have to consider is that for only a few dollars more, you could get a gunting ($106.18), a chinook ($104.81), a military ($98.30), or a police ($96.32). All are awesome knives for "defense" purposes, and all can be used for utility purposes. The matriarch and civilian are for one purpose only, and you'll void the waranty using them as utility knives.

For less money, you could get a Merlin/Harpy, which although smaller, would probably be fairly effective in a defense role.

Matriach
Pros: Cheap, Lightweight, easy to carry, highly effective
Cons: Not that much cheaper than the nicer G-10 spyderco's, can only be used for one thing.

Civilian
Pros: Highly effective, Carbon fiber's are becoming collector pieces, more "heft" in the hand, comes with a cool pouch.
Cons: Very expensive, can only be used for one thing

One other thing to consider - legal problems. Getting caught with a civilian or matriarch in a place where they are either illegal or in a legal grey area would be NO FUN. With a regular spyderco, the police might just let you go with a warning - with a matriarch, they might just decide to haul you into jail. Also, god forbid if you actually used a civilian/matriarch in self-defense, it could be extremely difficult to explain to the police/jury why you were carrying a knife like that. Imagine the DA waving your civilian around in front of the jury, proclaiming how you were clearly out looking for a fight.

That being said, I have a CF Civilian. :) It lives in its pouch, sleeping in a drawer (gotta love LA county and it's terrific laws).

Take a look at the G-10 spydercos and the merlin before you decide.
-- Rob
 
I completely missed the tip-up/tip-down aspect of the Matriarch...
And it's the legal aspect of carrying a Matriarch and not something more utility-like that stopped me from going for a Civilian or Matriarch before.
And since I got the Gunting, I just can't look at Zytel in quite the same way anymore. And I also got the Harpy and the Cricket, so something in the reverse "S" is pretty much the next logical step...
Oh, well...
I guess I'll just start saving for a Civilian that will be strictly an "at-home" thing...
Thanks All! :)
P.S. Check out www.thepolicestore.com Not sure what their sales policy is, but they have a Matriarch for $46.60, the best price I've found so far...
 
I don't think that price from the police store is current. When Spyderco made the Matriarch more available, I believe the price went up. The MSRP is $119.95, so I believe that is quite a bit under wholesale.

One other thing - forgot to recommend shopping at 1sks.com - support the forums. :)

-- Rob
 
Vess, check out the Shabaria it may fulfill your needs. Good light utility blade and more.
 
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